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  Screening for colon cancer is controversial even though we are advised to have a colonoscopy at age 50 as a routine. However, in asymptomatic people the risk of perforation or GI bleeding offsets the benefits. The role of other screens such as occult blood in the stool, barium enemas, sigmoidoscopy and virtual colonoscopies is discussed.              

  There are many different tests used in colon cancer screening and it is confusing to know which one is right for you. Not everyone should do the same test. There are controversies about if it is even necessary in asymptomatic people.        

The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published an article saying that colonoscopy for primary screening might be going too far. I agree! The benefits, harms, and costs have not been determined. Checking the stool for ocult blood and flexible sigmoidoscopy have been shown to be of value but there's no data showing that colonoscopy gives additional...

  Is there a need for virtual colonoscopies? In fact, is there a need for any colonoscopies in asymptomatic people? There is a lot of controversy on this topic. The advantage of virtual colonoscopy is that it is easier for the patient, but it also delivers a hefty dose of radiation and often required a regular colonoscopy if there are abnormal findings.          

No one wants to get colon cancer and colonoscopy has been touted to be the best way to find asymptomatic precanceous and cancerous lesions of the colon that could be lifesaving. This makes logical sense, however, the United States Preventive Services Task Force in now questioning this test for healthy people who have no GI symptoms.